Chiropractic table



J. H. LEGE.

CHIROPRACTICITABLE.

APPLICATIONIILED MAY 7, 1921.

Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

%2 SHEETS-SHEET l- L MN w i \R P Q NM ,IL

gwuen tp'o 99 zeye/ .I. H. LEGE.

CHIROPRACTIC TABLE.

APPLICATION man MAY7.1921.

Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

6 2 Wv m L 3H m 7 m UNITED STATES JOHN H. LEG-E; OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

CHIROPRACTIC TABLE.

Application filed May 7, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, JOHN H. Leon, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Chiropractic Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to surgical appliances, particularly to tables used by chiropractors in .their manipulations of the human body, and has for its object the provision of a table or attachment to a table including simultaneously movable head and abdomen supports. In adjusting the spinal vertebrae it is necessary to flex the spine anteriorly in order to widen the spaces between the vertebrae as much as possible anteriorly in order to secure an adjustment of the greatest benefit. In certain well known types of tables there is provided a head rest which is stationary while the abdomen support is movable. The disadvantage of such structure is that when the abdomen support islowered onlyjthe lower portion of the spine is properly flexed leaving the upper portion flexed in the opposite direction which results in giving a compound curve to the spine. 7

It is with the above facts in view that the present invention has been designed which embodiesja head rest, chest support and abdomen support all mounted upon a single hinged member which will automatically adjust itself to the patient lying upon the table, spring means being provided for opposing the movement. I

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in construction, highly efficient in use, durable and safe in use, ands. general improvement in the art.

4 IVith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich1 Figure 1' is a side elevation of a table equipped with my device showng it in'ini tial or normal position,

Fig. 2' is a plan view,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

Serial No. 467,552.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the parts moved into the position that it will assume when a patient is upon the table,

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view on the line t l of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown a table, known to the profession as the Grifiin table, which I have equipped with my improvement. This table comprises a frame 10 carrying a main stationary leg support 11 with which is slidably associated an auxiliary leg support 12 adapted to be extended from beneath the support 11 for holding. up pads 13. At its opposite end the frame includes four upright posts 14 and 15 which in tables of this type, are forthe purpose of carrying a rigid head support. Extending across the frame is a board or other member 16 upon which is hinged, as shown at 17, an inclined board 18 upon the free edge of which is hinged, as shown at 19, a second oppositely inclined board 20. In tablesof this type there is provided an abdominal support fixed upon a longitudinal bar or board which is pivoted at the upper ends of the posts 14 and which is connected with the free edge of the board 20 by hinges. Connected with the board 20 is a plurality of springs 21 which are connected with a pivoted lever 22 carrying a pawl member 23 cooperating with a species of ratchet bar 24 whereby the tension of the springs may be varied according {to the weight of the patient lyingupon the table. In the ordinary structure above outlined, the abdominal support is the only movable member, aside from the extensible auxiliary leg support. The great drawback or disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the head rest is stationaryregardless of the degree of movement of the abdominal support. In adjusting the spinal vertebrae it is necessary to'flex the spine anteriorly only in order to widen the spaces between the anterior mar gins and this is impossible in the use of the ordinary type of table.

In carrying out my improvement on the above described well known structure I em dation of the frame 32 whereby to form,

stops for limiting downward movement of the head rest under the influence of the springs 21. I also provide springs 35 connected with the head end of the board 25 and with a cross member 36 of the frame,

' these springs operating in conjunction with the springs 21. p

In some mstances, or at certain tlmes, as for instance when a patient first takes his place upon the table, it is highly desirable to hold all the supports rigid. In order'to,

accomplish this I provide a latch device which comprises a short bar 37 hinged upon the underside of the board 24. as shown at 38, and having its free end engageable within a recess 39 in a crosspiece 40 carried by the frame, such engagement preventing swinging of the board 25; Y

Inorder to release this latch conveniently I provide a rod 41 journaled in guides 42 on the underside of the board 25 and formed at one end with an arm 43 connected with a link 44 which is in turn pivotally connected with the bar 37, as shown at 45. At its other end the rod 41 is formed with an inclined handle portion 46 whereby it may be rocked to lift the bar 37 out of engagement within the recess 39 to permit swinging of the board 25 and the supports carried thereby. I also provide a catch 47 engageable by the handle 46 whereby tohold the bar 37. in elevated or unlatched position.

'From the above description and a study of the drawings it is believed that the construction and operation will be fully understood without further detailed explanation.

My. device is shown as being built into a table of more or less conventional form, a specific type being illustrated, but it will be noted that my movable element might vreadilylbe associated \Vlth' ttblS ofother types-and might be built into any new type v of table if such be desired.

While I have shown and described the pre- 1 ferredembodiment of my invention, it is of course to be understood thatI reserve the right to make such changesvin the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of thesubjoined claims.

,Having, thus described my invention, I claim:

rest carried by the forward end of said bar,

a chest support on the intermediate portion of said bar, and an abdomen support upon the rear end of said bar.

2. In a chiropractic table including a frame, a stationary leg support carried thereby, and an upright frame at the end of the frame opposite the leg support; an elongated supporting bar hinged intermediate its ends upon said uprightframe, springmeans opposing movement of said hinged bar, a head rest carried by the forward end of said bar, a chest support on the intermediate portion of said bar, and an abdomen support upon the rear end .of said bar, and releasable catch means for locking said bar against movement. 7 j i 3. A chiropractic-table comprising a frame, a stationary leg support at one end thereof, a slidable auxiliary leg support disposed beneath said first named leg support, a transverseinclined board hingedly mounted upon said frame, anoppositely inclined ,board hinged upon the free edge of said first named inclined .board, adjustable spring tensionconnected with said first named board, an upright frame at the opposite end of said main frame, an elongated bar hinged intermediate its ends upon said upright frame and havingits rear end hingedly connected with the free edge of said second named inclinedboard, a head support'upon the forward end of said bar, a chest support upon 10 the intermediate portion of said bar, an abdomen support on the rear end of said bar, and a plurality of springs connected with the forward end of the bar cooperating with said first named springs to oppose movement of thebar. V V

4. A chiropractic table comprising a frame,

a stationary leg support at one end thereof,

a slidable auxiliary leg support disposed beneath said first named leg support, a trans- 11 6 verse inclinedboard hingedly mounted upon said frame, an oppositely inclined board hinged upon the free edge of said first named inclined support, adjustable spring tension 7 connected with said first named board, an 12 upright frame at the opposite GIICl'Of said main frame, an elongated bar hinged intermediate its ends. upon said upright frame and. having its rear end hingedly connected with the, free edge of said second named inclined board, ahead support upon the forward end of said bar, a chest support upon theintermediate portion of said bar, an abdomen support on the rear end of said bar,

a plurality of springs connected with the forward end of the bar cooperating with said first named springs to oppose movement of the bar, a transverse member carried by the main frame and formed With a notch, a bar pivoted upon the underside of the first named bar and engageable Within said notch for locking the first named bar against said notch.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

J. H. LEGE. 

